Advice needed from UCLA kids!

[TheMightyBoosh]

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I need advice from any of you Bruins out there who took upper div science classes.

I'm considering doing my own informal post bacc at UCLA to boost my GPA, but I want to make sure it will be possible to get A's in the courses I sign up for if I work really hard. Do any of you guys have any opinions on upper div science classes that are doable with a lot of studying/visiting professors in office hours? I'm willing to spend most my time at the library if necessary.

So far I'm considering MIMG 101, NEUROSCI 101A and MIMG 185A (which is supposed to be a hard class but seems really interesting).

Appreciate the help!

 

[snorlax]

The only "easy" upper div science course I know of is Physiological Science 167, which is offered during winter quarter.

I've heard that MIMG 101 is nasty. And I've never heard anything but complaints about MIMG 185A... So I wouldn't recommend those two.

 

[TheMightyBoosh]

The only "easy" upper div science course I know of is Physiological Science 167, which is offered during winter quarter.

I've heard that MIMG 101 is nasty. And I've never heard anything but complaints about MIMG 185A... So I wouldn't recommend those two.

Thanks for the feedback.

Most the physci classes are closed and I have last priority so I won't be able to get any of those classes. It looks like most the classes that are still open at this point are MIMG or Ecology and Evolutionary Bio courses.

Anyone else have any thoughts about specific courses?

 

[snorlax]

Unfortunately, the options are not great for fall quarter. If you like Chem, you could consider Chem 171 (Intermediate Inorganic). I've heard the professor is really good, and I don't think the class will be too difficult.

 

[Acoustic]

I wouldn't call neuroscience 101a easy... especially since I think it's required that you take it with neuro 102 (neuroanatomy, which is a beast).

 

[jkm07]

I didn't know we could do a post-bacc with the undergraduate campus! This whole time I've been going through UCLA Extension (not a bad deal btw). Can someone elaborate on how an alumni can go back and take classes? I thought they wouldn't allow graduates to come back...I'm guessing it involves tons of $$$ to do so.

 

[Shibbyboi182]

UCLA Neuro senior right here, so hopefully I can offer some perspective on this, OP.

My advice is as follows:

1. Be cautious around any "core series" courses for a specific science major. In particular, this means Neuro 101 series, Neuro 102 (which is supposedly death), PhySci 111 series, PhySci 107. But there are others. Yes, these classes give out A's (none of us knows the exact distribution because they keep that hidden from us). But these classes are the gunner of the gunner classes; 80% of the class is pre-med and it can get ugly at times. If you want to take them, be ready for absurd curbs and a LOT of studying. Don't take if you have a lot of outside obligations. Anecdote: I knew an older post-bacc student in my core series this past year. Older guy. He got rocked on all the tests because he couldn't (and also couldn't believe) how much time most of us were putting into the class.

2. Look for the non-weeder classes. These tend to be the smaller-sized electives. Much more generous grading for the same amount of work (variable depending on professor) as the core series.

3. The consensus around campus is that MIMG is the hardest major. I've been told (but have not seen it in publication) that the average GPA for mimg is the lowest on campus. But I do know a few MIMGers that do well. I was technically MIMG before starting any of the courses, and before I figured out that I loved neuro, the MIMG counselor sent an email out to every undergrad in the department telling us how these "rumors that the average gpa on campus was a 2.8 were absurd." She finished by telling us that it's about a 3.0..LOL.

4. No matter what, science classes at this school = be ready to work hard.

 

[Shibbyboi182]

I didn't know we could do a post-bacc with the undergraduate campus! This whole time I've been going through UCLA Extension (not a bad deal btw). Can someone elaborate on how an alumni can go back and take classes? I thought they wouldn't allow graduates to come back...I'm guessing it involves tons of $$$ to do so.

I've been thinking of taking extra classes post-grad as well once I graduate. From what I hear you can take the extension classes (usually at night), or you can enroll through the Open Doors part of extension and take the same classes as regular undergrads. The downside is that you get bottom of the barrel enrollment times (even after the freshmen) so pickins are slim (as you'll note from the OP's post about the classes still open). You also need instructor approval.

 

[snorlax]

MIMG doesnt even need to take chem 110A(death for most people), but regardless any science major at UCLA is not easy. im biochem and i feel like the amount of studying/work you need to put into some of these UD sci classes is similar to that of professional schools. at least were training ourselves so that when we do need to study constantly and consistently for med school, it wont be as rough on our brains

Biochem majors have it a lot worse than MIMG. 30CL, 110A, 153C, and 156... just to name a few of the atrocities...

 

[snorlax]

they took ochem lab out of the requirements this year

either way... im hoping to end up with a good gpa out of UCLA as a biochem major so when i apply to med schools and they do "bump" my GPA, it looks super good^^.

oh yah, is it bad to say that USC would be my dream med school?

Yeah I know. No more 30CL or 171. And they only have to do 4 electives instead of 5. No fair!!!

But yeah, let's graduate with great GPAs and hopefully someone will recognize our efforts and achievements.